DO YOU LACK the trust fund needed to weather the winter in sunnier climes? Not to worry. You can bring Florida and California to you by embracing housewares inspired by citrus groves.
Start by giving gray mornings a brighter side. Williams-Sonoma has several solutions. A hand-painted relief of a grapefruit, lemon, orange, or lime graces the bottom of each of its citrus bowls ($34/set of four, Internet/catalogue only). Footed citrus glasses ($28/set of six) are painted with lemons, limes, and oranges clinging to branches. And W-S’s hand-painted Italian ceramic lemon clock ($74, Internet/catalogue only) is an ideal way to keep an eye on the time as you gulp down fresh-squeezed OJ made in a retro tangerine Ojex Juicer ($100, Internet/catalogue only).
For a subtle decorating touch, look to Bowl & Board’s cheery citrus kitchen rug ($22), which features lime and orange slices on a woven white background. Or add a punch of pulp to your bathroom by pairing an orange shower-curtain liner ($14.95) with a mod Marimekko Kivet white shower curtain ($29.95), both available at Crate & Barrel. And you can pamper yourself by stocking up on Primal Elements handmade soaps ($6.50/slice), available in Clementine or SubLime at Bowl & Board.
The salt and sand on the sidewalks means you’ll need to clean your place about three times as often as normal. And when you’re snowed in — yet again — it’s also hard to ignore the dishes piled in the sink. At times like these, you need Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Products: all-purpose cleaner ($7.99), ammonia-free window cleaner ($4.99), liquid dish soap ($4.99), and wood-furniture cream ($7.99). Available at Economy Hardware, the cleaners are cruelty-free and contain biodegradable ingredients that are good for you and your home. More important, their fresh lemon-verbena scent offers substantial aromatherapy.
Once your pad is spanking clean, you just might want to show it off by entertaining at home. Reward your friends for braving the icy roads by lighting lime, orange, grapefruit, and lemon floating candles ($13.50/set of four) from Bowl & Board. You can also turn to B&B for barware in citrus tones, including an orange, fish-shaped Koziol bottle opener ($15.50) and glass tumblers ($6) with lime or orange geometric designs. Let your guests top off their own cocktails with fresh fruit juices using Williams-Sonoma green or yellow citrus presses ($15/each, $27/pair). Or if that threatens to get too sticky, serve up some sangria in a bright-yellow deco Fiestaware pitcher ($21.99) from Kitchen Etc. Just don’t scrimp on the sliced oranges and lemons.
Where to get it:
• Bowl & Board, 1063 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 661-0350.
• Crate & Barrel, various locations, (800) 967-6696; www.crateandbarrel.com.
• Economy Hardware, 219 Mass Ave, Boston, (617) 536-4280; 438 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 864-330.
• Kitchen Etc., Fresh Pond Mall, 196 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge, (617) 661-9139; www.kitchenetc.com.
• Williams-Sonoma, Copley Place, 100 Huntington Avenue, Boston; The Mall at Chestnut Hill, 300 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, (877) 812-6235; www.williamssonoma.com.